4. Favourable run-in
At present, Liverpool are four points off top but a quick glance at their remaining fixtures reveals trips to Anfield for Chelsea, Man City and Tottenham before the end of the season. Indeed, the Reds’ only tough away fixture in the league is at Old Trafford, which has comprehensively lost the fear factor of the Fergie era this season. Taking points off their rivals on Merseyside would be huge for Liverpool’s title hopes and if it comes down to the final day of the season, the Reds couldn’t hope for a better fixture – Newcastle, who will have nothing to play for, at Anfield.
3. Brendan Rodgers is adaptable
Brendan Rodgers may not be everyone’s cup of tea but football’s equivalent of David Brent has done a superb job at Anfield. Strings to Rodgers’ bow include scintillating attacking football and, crucially, adaptability. The Northern Irishman didn’t panic buy when Lucas succumbed to injury in January, instead moving Coutinho into a creative central midfield role with brilliant results. Rodgers has also adapted from 3-5-2 to a flat back four, with success, and used the versatile Jordan Henderson in a variety of positions. With Arsene Wenger and Manuel Pellegrini, in particular, sticking to their guns, Rodgers’ ability to switch systems could give the Reds’ the edge in the hectic run-in.
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